'Umekita Forest' Opens on Friday, November 20, 2026: An 'Urban Forest' is Born in Front of JR Osaka Station. Regenerating Ecosystems for a New Urban Hub Where People and Nature Coexist
Nine joint venture companies, led by Mitsubishi Estate, announced the early opening of 'Umekita Forest' (approx. 0.9ha) within Umekita Park on November 20, 2026.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 00:10
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The 9 joint venture companies for the development of GRAND GREEN OSAKA, with Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. as the representative company (hereinafter 'JV'), are working on the development of the 'Umekita Park North Park Late-Phase Construction Area' (approx. 1.0ha) within 'GRAND GREEN OSAKA' (hereinafter 'this project') in a public-private partnership with Osaka Prefecture, Osaka City, and the Urban Renaissance Agency (hereinafter 'UR'). Ahead of the overall park opening around spring 2027, it has been decided to open the 'Umekita Forest' section (approx. 0.9ha) early on November 20, 2026.
This project had its advance town opening on September 6, 2024, and the Grand Opening of the South Building on March 21, 2025, welcoming a total of approximately 28 million visitors to date. Moving forward, the JV will include the 'REGENERATIVE' space 'Umekita Forest' in its scope, and through operations that 'nurture together' with citizens, visitors, companies, and research institutions, we will further deepen the project's concept of 'Creating Osaka MIDORI LIFE'—the fusion of 'Midori' (greenery) and 'Innovation'.
Features of 'Umekita Forest'
(1) [Environmental Value] Biodiversity: 'Regenerating' a nature-rich space in front of JR Osaka Station where diverse organisms can inhabit.
(2) [Social Value] Well-being: An urban oasis where one can 'regain their true self' in a busy modern society.
(3) [Economic Value] INNOVATION: A 'testing field' for solving social issues and creating new industries.
Overview of 'Umekita Forest'
● Development Background
- The Umekita area is located in the lowlands of the Osaka Plain, formed by the accumulation of sediment carried over a long period by rivers such as the Yodo River. This land, which was once a wetland retaining water and later transformed into a rural landscape, still quietly breathes the memory of the land nurtured by the waterside.
- After the era of the 'Umeda Freight Station' that existed for about 85 years, we aim to 'regenerate' such 'Osaka's originally rich, green earth' as an 'Urban Forest.' This aims for the recovery of people and society through the re-formation of ecological networks and the promotion of the physical and mental well-being of people living in urban areas.
- We will undertake various initiatives as a 'living platform' for the city and nature, and people and society to restore a better relationship, and as a leading model for 'regenerative' urban development.
● Location Map / Spatial Characteristics
- Located in the western area of 'North Park,' a nature-rich space where one can feel tranquility and healing, contrasting with 'Umekita Park South Park,' an urban and active space with a lawn square and event space.
- Based on the history of the water city Osaka, we will develop a waterscape of approximately 1,400 square meters, including a waterfall with a width of about 10m and a drop of about 3m.
- The 'Path of Inspiration,' with a total length of 350m connecting the north and south blocks, will be fully opened, improving the overall maneuverability of Umekita.
● Planting Plan to Experience the Essence of Japan, Osaka, and Umekita
- In addition to creating a new famous spot for cherry blossoms in Osaka, we will use delicate color schemes with trees with beautiful autumn foliage such as maple and katsura, and flowers that have been familiar in Japan since ancient times, such as Japanese irises and azaleas, creating a planting plan where you can feel the beauty of Japan's four seasons throughout the year.
- By incorporating satoyama vegetation (native species) that grow on the Uemachi Plateau, which has flourished as the center of Osaka since ancient times, and in the hills around Osaka, we will express the essence of Osaka while maintaining a planting plan that considers the ecosystem.
- The planting of 'Umekita Forest' is planned as a 'Waterside Forest' that expresses the concept of Osaka's originally moist earth. It consists mainly of deciduous trees considering potential natural vegetation, such as hackberry and muku trees, and tree species suitable for waterside environments.
(Reference) Planting Plan Information (Area opening this time)
- 165 tall trees (22 species), approx. 3,000 square meters of shrub planting (83 species), approx. 2,600 square meters of lawn area
- Aquatic plants: Japanese iris, rabbit-ear iris, purple loosestrife
- 23 cherry trees (6 species: Edohigan, Yamazakura, Oshimazakura, Kanhizakura, Shikizakura, Sasabezakura)
Initiatives Regarding Biodiversity
- As urbanization progresses globally, the loss of biodiversity, climate change, and physical and mental disorders in people have become global issues in modern society. In the 'Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework' adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in 2022, realizing a Nature Positive outcome in all spaces including cities, along with advancing the restoration of nature by 2030, is set as a common goal for the international community.
- In Umekita Park, based on ecological surveys in the Yodo River and Osaka Castle Park, we have established 56 target species (birds and insects) to attract, and are planning an environment that considers the habitat of these organisms.
This project had its advance town opening on September 6, 2024, and the Grand Opening of the South Building on March 21, 2025, welcoming a total of approximately 28 million visitors to date. Moving forward, the JV will include the 'REGENERATIVE' space 'Umekita Forest' in its scope, and through operations that 'nurture together' with citizens, visitors, companies, and research institutions, we will further deepen the project's concept of 'Creating Osaka MIDORI LIFE'—the fusion of 'Midori' (greenery) and 'Innovation'.
Features of 'Umekita Forest'
(1) [Environmental Value] Biodiversity: 'Regenerating' a nature-rich space in front of JR Osaka Station where diverse organisms can inhabit.
(2) [Social Value] Well-being: An urban oasis where one can 'regain their true self' in a busy modern society.
(3) [Economic Value] INNOVATION: A 'testing field' for solving social issues and creating new industries.
Overview of 'Umekita Forest'
● Development Background
- The Umekita area is located in the lowlands of the Osaka Plain, formed by the accumulation of sediment carried over a long period by rivers such as the Yodo River. This land, which was once a wetland retaining water and later transformed into a rural landscape, still quietly breathes the memory of the land nurtured by the waterside.
- After the era of the 'Umeda Freight Station' that existed for about 85 years, we aim to 'regenerate' such 'Osaka's originally rich, green earth' as an 'Urban Forest.' This aims for the recovery of people and society through the re-formation of ecological networks and the promotion of the physical and mental well-being of people living in urban areas.
- We will undertake various initiatives as a 'living platform' for the city and nature, and people and society to restore a better relationship, and as a leading model for 'regenerative' urban development.
● Location Map / Spatial Characteristics
- Located in the western area of 'North Park,' a nature-rich space where one can feel tranquility and healing, contrasting with 'Umekita Park South Park,' an urban and active space with a lawn square and event space.
- Based on the history of the water city Osaka, we will develop a waterscape of approximately 1,400 square meters, including a waterfall with a width of about 10m and a drop of about 3m.
- The 'Path of Inspiration,' with a total length of 350m connecting the north and south blocks, will be fully opened, improving the overall maneuverability of Umekita.
● Planting Plan to Experience the Essence of Japan, Osaka, and Umekita
- In addition to creating a new famous spot for cherry blossoms in Osaka, we will use delicate color schemes with trees with beautiful autumn foliage such as maple and katsura, and flowers that have been familiar in Japan since ancient times, such as Japanese irises and azaleas, creating a planting plan where you can feel the beauty of Japan's four seasons throughout the year.
- By incorporating satoyama vegetation (native species) that grow on the Uemachi Plateau, which has flourished as the center of Osaka since ancient times, and in the hills around Osaka, we will express the essence of Osaka while maintaining a planting plan that considers the ecosystem.
- The planting of 'Umekita Forest' is planned as a 'Waterside Forest' that expresses the concept of Osaka's originally moist earth. It consists mainly of deciduous trees considering potential natural vegetation, such as hackberry and muku trees, and tree species suitable for waterside environments.
(Reference) Planting Plan Information (Area opening this time)
- 165 tall trees (22 species), approx. 3,000 square meters of shrub planting (83 species), approx. 2,600 square meters of lawn area
- Aquatic plants: Japanese iris, rabbit-ear iris, purple loosestrife
- 23 cherry trees (6 species: Edohigan, Yamazakura, Oshimazakura, Kanhizakura, Shikizakura, Sasabezakura)
Initiatives Regarding Biodiversity
- As urbanization progresses globally, the loss of biodiversity, climate change, and physical and mental disorders in people have become global issues in modern society. In the 'Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework' adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) in 2022, realizing a Nature Positive outcome in all spaces including cities, along with advancing the restoration of nature by 2030, is set as a common goal for the international community.
- In Umekita Park, based on ecological surveys in the Yodo River and Osaka Castle Park, we have established 56 target species (birds and insects) to attract, and are planning an environment that considers the habitat of these organisms.